Sandstrände

Arena Beach

Chersonissos, Heraklion · Free

Route

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Organised

Gut organisiert

Characteristics

Sandig

Activities

Facilities

About

A sandy beach east of town popular with SUP and kite surfers, with beach bars on one side.

Arena is the first beach east of Heraklion that really feels away from the city. It is sandy with shallow teal water, a big resort on the eastern end, beach bars and a volleyball court on the western end and an empty middle part. The north wind makes it popular for kitesurfing and SUP.

The afternoon wind makes it popular with kitesurfers and SUP paddlers, and there are rental stations in summer. It's close to the airport and easy to reach by car or bus. Morning is the best time for a calm swim.

Hersonissos is the busiest resort area of Crete, stretching along the north coast east of Heraklion, with Gouves, Hersonissos, Stalida and Malia. The beaches are long and sandy, with every facility, and the nightlife is lively. Behind the resorts, villages like Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, Mochos and Krasi keep a traditional atmosphere and offer cooler evenings with views. The Minoan palace of Malia, the Cretaquarium and the open-air museum of Lychnostatis are all in the area.

Around Chersonissos

North coast, on the Cretan Sea
Nearest town: Heraklion, about 11 km by road
Nearest airport: Heraklion airport (HER), about 7 km by road

Heraklion is the heart of Minoan Crete and the island’s busiest region. Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum are the two places almost everyone visits, and they work well together on one day. In the south, the wide Messara plain holds the palace of Phaistos, the Roman ruins of Gortyna and the famous caves above the bay of Matala. More about Heraklion